Historic Buildings

UNIQLO operates in a variety of historic buildings. Take, for instance, the Hamburg store in Germany (1) . First opened as a bank in 1910, it has motifs in the facade and the mosaic tiled ceiling that depict a local history of fishing, shipping, and trade. The Strøget store in Denmark (2) is in a former dress shop from the 1840s. Situated in a historic craft district, the Hoan Kiem store in Vietnam (3) is an example of colonial architecture from the early twentieth century. The entire building of the London Regent Street store (4) in England (UK) has protective status due to its high historic value. A space featuring original 1920s art deco interiors became the world’s first RE.UNIQLO STUDIO, where favourite items can be repaired and remade, giving them new life. The Le Marais store in France (5) boasts iron framework from its days as a foundry in the nineteenth century. A building that served as a cinema and nightclub in the 1920s is now, a century later, home to the Gran Via store in Spain (6) . The original murals and ceiling paintings make you feel as if you’re stepping back in time. Using warm materials like wood invests these renovated spaces with the essence of Japan.

Local Collaborations

Located in the southeast of South Korea, about two hours from Seoul by high speed train, Gyeongju is a historic capital where many temples and Buddhist statues can be found, UNIQLO has been here since 2023. The back of the building uses masonry in a style common to the temples of Gyeongju, while the text beside the logo says “UNIQLO Gyeongju” in script by calligrapher Kim Sang-Ji, who was born in the area. An example of the ways these stores pay homage to the local culture and blend into the landscape.

The Legacy of Famous Architects

Behind all of these unique stores is the work of world-class architects. Interior renovations for UNIQLO TOKYO in Ginza (8) , which reopened in 2020, were overseen by Swiss architectural practice Herzog & de Meuron. Modifications sought to display the functional beauty of the space, which was originally built as a department store in 1984. On the first floor, you can buy a fresh bouquet at UNIQLO FLOWER. Another example is the Kungsträdgården store in Sweden (9) . Designed in 1969 by Sven Markelius, whose work has left a lasting impression on Stockholm’s cityscape, the building is situated on the edge of a relaxing park. In 2018 the building was transformed into the first UNIQLO in Sweden, taking cues from the architect’s original concept.

Platforms for Media

Massive works of art, in the middle of Manhattan! For the 2023 KAWS x UT collaboration, the UNIQLO 5th Avenue Flagship store in New York City (10) became a platform for exciting new media. The exterior has also featured store wraps created in partnership with Studios like Shochiku Kabuki. The Lee Theatre store in Hong Kong (11) , built on the site of a beloved historic theater from the 1920s in business for over sixty years, has an iconic facade used for promotional displays. In a similar vein, a monitor inside the Kalverstraat store (12) , the first in the Netherlands, broadcasts news from Japan. This secret spot, a favorite among customers, links Amsterdam to Japan, bridging a distance of over 9,000 km.Photo by Jason Lewis

Roadside Classics

Indispensable to the story of UNIQLO are the roadside shops opening along major roads, replete with lots of parking. The Yamanota Store in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, opened in 1985, set the standard for a new kind of UNIQLO. The first roadside location in Southeast Asia opened in Bangkok, Thailand. The classic store design speaks to a UNIQLO tradition of roadside retail.

Hidden
Underground!

Set in Milan’s business district at the base of a modern high-rise, this pod-shaped structure leads to an underground entrance. Down the escalator, the second UNIQLO in Milan can be found in an 800 m2 space that used to be a parking garage. Piazza Gae Aulenti, from which the store gets its name, is at the center of a design district full of new buildings. Adapting to the landscape while creating futuristic and experimental interiors are the twin goals of every UNIQLO store design.

Taking Action for Humanity
and the Environment

UNIQLO has an employment support program for refugees. In Poland, where the Arkadia store (15) is scheduled to open late September, UNIQLO has hired refugees from neighboring Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Nuvali Roadside store in the Philippines (16) has taken its own approach to promoting sustainability among its customers. The “Green Park” beside the store has power stations where you can charge your phone by pedaling a bicycle. This helps boost awareness of sustainable solutions among kids and adults alike, through fun activities. At the UNIQLO 51 @ AMK store in Singapore (17) , the space is designed with extra-wide aisles to facilitate shopping for people in wheelchairs or with visual impairment. To make the store accessible to all, the fitting rooms have railings and benches. Those in need can also reserve time slots with the staff and receive shopping assistance free of charge.

UNIQLO and the Street

Every street has its own story. Chaussée d’Ixelles, the street in Belgium where the Porte de Namur store (18) is located, used to be viewed by locals as a rough part of town. Since UNIQLO opened in 2020, the area has become increasingly more pleasant. The beautifully named Princes Street, at the heart of Edinburgh, is home to the first UNIQLO in Scotland, (UK) (19) as of this year. Since opening, the store has become a local favourite, and is likely to join the ranks of the city’s most beloved businesses before too long. In Taipei, on the island of Taiwan, where the turnover in busy areas can be high, UNIQLO TAIPEI (20) has been a mainstay of the main thoroughfare Zhongxiao East Road for thirteen years. Since renovations were completed in 2021, the old-time shopping area has become a favourite gathering spot for young adults.

Within Sight of
a World Heritage Site

Opened in 2020, the second UNIQLO in Macau is the closest business to the Ruins of St. Paul’s, a world heritage site listed in 2005 as part of the Historic Centre of Macau. In a nod to Southern European aesthetics, the exterior is pastel yellow. When the ruins are lit up at night, it creates a gorgeous atmosphere.

The Top UNIQLO

Luxembourg, where the first store opened last year (22) , has about 650,000 people, the smallest population of any place where UNIQLO has a presence. This gives Luxembourg the highest ratio of UNIQLO items per capita in the world! On the other hand, the biggest UNIQLO store in the world is located in China’s economic center, Shanghai, on Huaihai Road (23) , an area known for blending historic buildings and the latest contemporary architecture. Housed in a former department store, this five-floor complex has 6,000 m2 of retail space, making it the biggest UNIQLO in history.

Find Me at the Mall

Incorporating stores into well-designed shopping malls is a UNIQLO specialty. The Beachwalk store (24) takes its name from the streamlined shape of its facade. Situated on Kuta Beach in Bali, Indonesia, this spot is brimming with resort vibes. Then there’s the Emporium Melbourne store (26) , the first in Australia, occupying a historic department store, and The Exchange TRX store in Malaysia (27) , where a hotel-like entrance matches the aesthetics of the mall. In India, the Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj store (28) fits organically into the building’s powerful stone exterior, which has dazzling three-story windows. The CF Toronto Eaton Centre store (25) in Canada is typical of the country, where most stores are located in shopping centers. The idea is to help people take care of all their shopping needs in one location.